Big Data

“October 2013Earlier this year, the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England) announced plans to introduce a new system for collecting and analysing data called care.data.

We have, this week, received an updated plan from NHS England which confirms that the data extraction for the care.data system will not begin until Spring 2014. We have been assured that further communication will be provided to GPs to enable them to more clearly understand the process and to ensure they are fully aware of their fair processing obligations under the Data Protection Act.

Prior to the extraction we understand that a national and regional communications campaign aimed at informing patients about the new changes will be launched by NHS England and this is welcome. We will continue to advise NHS England, GPs and the other relevant bodies about the importance of ensuring patients fully understand the options available to them and how they can object if they wish to do so”

Your medical records are no longer confidential. Unless you take action, identifiable information will be uploaded from your GP-held record to central systems from where it may be passed on to others including commissioning bodies, researchers and private companies.